“American Pie” made me laugh. “American Beauty” made me think. But “American Psycho” just made me sick.
Of course I’m comparing apples and oranges to a lemon, but I couldn’t help but expect the same level of excellence that I had seen in previous “American”-titled films. There’s “American Werewolf in London,” one of the all-time classic horror tales, and “American History X,” which raised serious questions about racism in our society. The only question “American Psycho” raised was: Can I have my money back?
Often pointless and drifting, “American Psycho” falters in its attempt to make a point about greed, envy, egotism and male chauvinism. Deep within the film there’s a good message, but it’s masked behind an onslaught of gratuitous violence and sex scenes.
Christian Bale plays Patrick Bateman, the highly successful but Machiavellian 27-year-old vice president of a large corporation. Bateman is a steely, cold-blooded shell of a man who attempts to achieve personal perfection, but can never really rise above those in his social ring (I hesitate to call them friends). He lives in a posh high-rise, but is disgusted that one of his colleagues’ apartments has a better view. He buys the best suits, the best reading glasses and even the best business cards, but everyone has the same ones.
Through his daily regimen of sit-ups, health food and skin products, he tries to set himself apart, but he ends up looking just like everyone else. In an ongoing joke, he is actually mistaken for one of his co-workers, even by his own lawyer.
Quickly, we see Bateman’s competitive nature turn against him as he becomes uncontrollably homicidal. Ironically, his drive toward perfection leads to his biggest flaw as he begins killing everyone who stands in his way, challenges his efforts to stand out or just plain irritates him.
Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 best seller, “American Psycho” is more than just another bloody slasher film. To its credit, the movie is somewhat thought-provoking as it exposes the ugliness of the American ideal that “he who dies with the most toys wins.”
Not to say it makes some sort of deep connection with the serial killer in all of us — it doesn’t. But it does question the dog-eat-dog world we live in and are often a part of.
Also worthy of praise is Bales’ performance. He plays the despicable, calculating Bateman with ease and never breaks character
Unlike Patrick Bateman, “American Psycho” stands out among the crowd. It is amazingly disturbing and distinguishes itself from other horror films with its attempt to make a meaningful statement. Unfortunately, there is too much gore and not enough plot to make it worth recommending.